5/13/25 Minutes
TOWN OF CRANE LAKE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
May 13, 2025
The May 13, 2025 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting was called to order by Chair Jim Janssen at 6:00PM at the Crane Lake Visitor Center with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those in attendance including: VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross and Acting VNP Superintendent Brian Harmon; Supervisors Jim Janssen, Scott Sanborn, and Jeanne Shuck; Treasurer Traci Bak; Clerk Ashlyn Denning; and 1 member of the community.
Also present: Deputy-Treasurer Gretchen Janssen, Deputy-Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman, and Visitor Center/Campground Manager Serena Swenson.
Jim introduced VNP Superintendent Bob DeGross and asked him to provide his presentation on updates to Voyageurs National Park.
- Bob will be retiring on May 30, 2025. Acting Superintendent, Brian Harmon was present to introduce himself.
- There isn’t a fire ban at this point, but Bob urged fire safety and mindfulness.
- The Frozen Lakes Management Plan was terminated on May 6th.
- Kettle Falls is in operation this year, but the contract ends at the end of 2026. Applications for new interested managers should submit those online.
- Kettle Falls will not be doing AIS decontamination any longer because of zebra mussel contamination.
- The VNP is working to get rock markers in place.
- Working with the Crane Lake community to bring the Visitor Center vision to completion.
BUSINESS
Additions to the Agenda: There were none.
Minutes: – A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve the minutes of the 4/24/2025 Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: The April Cash Balances were read, and the bills were presented as follows: Twp: RAMS-$185.00, Scott Sanborn – $328.79, Ashlyn Denning – $360.00, Jo Ann Pohlman – $360.00, MAT – $150.00, Timberjay – $126.17, Zoom – $159.90, Lutefisk – $149.00, Costin Group – $1,250.00, Lake Country Power – $156.00, CLVTB – $360.47, Border State Bank – $25,000.00, SLC-Public Works – $161.25, Izone – $3,788.12, Sarah Zweir Design – $14,000.00. VC/CG: Lake Country Power – $486.90, CLWSD – $1,654.64, NWTrueValue – $34.57, TechBytes – $40.00, SLC Transfer Station – $40.00, GS Media – $2,454.40, ATT Phone – $140.82, Visa – $152.74. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read and the payment of bills. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
The Clerk presented the correspondence. The correspondence was received and will be placed on file and acted upon as required.
OLD BUSINESS
VNP-Visitor Center/Campground:
Committee Report & Resulting Board Action: Gretchen Janssen provided the following report: A quick summary of the petroleum cleanup efforts: S.E.H has submitted a report to the MPCA about soil cleanup, the vapor mitigation system, and the well replacement work done during construction. They are also working with Roy to complete an environmental covenant as required by the LCCMR. The MPCA could close out the “petroleum investigation” as soon as next year pending the groundwater monitoring data. They would remove the wells as part of their closeout. The Town will have to inspect the vapor mitigation system quarterly and send a letter to the MPCA every year by July 1. The remaining grant dollars: Gary is working with the IRRR at the end of this month to formally transfer the remaining grant dollars from the Bayside Drive project to the Campground project. Combining the grant dollars remaining with the IRRR and the DNR Appropriation, Crane Lake has approximately $650,000 left to spend on building a shower house (as originally planned) up in the campground. The original design of the shower house came in at $900K so we are discussing ways to lower that cost, with the hope that this can go out to bid yet this summer/fall.
Action Items: Attached is a quote from Best Buy for a TV monitor and laptop dedicated to the informational screen the Town planned for the Visitor Center vestibule. Serena will create videos or presentations that will cast to the screen and remain “ON” whatever hours the Town feels are necessary. This monitor will display community events, weather reports, meeting information, photos, etc. – please advise Serena to information you want included. This screen will be viewable to the public even when the building is locked/closed. This quote contains a budget-friendly TV, laptop computer, and mounting system. Do we want a protection plan on the TV? If it is ON for many, many hours per day, it may not last more than 5 years. (But the TV is only $250 and the protection plan is $50). The committee recommends the approval of this purchase. This would be a Town expense and not a shared item with Voyageurs National Park.
Checks to sign: Invoice to iZone Q117671-3 : $3788.12 (requesting immediate payment for sign production) Make the check out to: iZone Imaging, Mail to: PO Box 368, Temple, TX 76503. Invoice to Sarah Zweir Design LLC 25112: $14,000 (final – per contract) (These are reimbursable by the IRRR and have been submitted). No invoices to approve at this time.
Board Action: A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to approve the purchase of a TV monitor and laptop dedicated to the informational screen the Town planned for the Visitor Center vestibule that costs under $1338.33. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Campground Manager Report and Resulting Board Action: Serena provided the following report: Been working on a lot of outside stuff
- Help
- Dan Denning
- Going really well!
- Helping with picnic tables, fire rings, general maintenance etc
- Mowing once it’s needed.
- Picnic Tables Delivered and Assembled
- Getting $500 refund for delivery mishaps
- Fire rings delivered
- Need to install
- Trees will be planted this week
VNP-Visitor Center/Campground:
Campground Manager Report and Resulting Board Action: (Cont.)
- Dumpster delivered
- One 6 cubic yard dumpster with rods
- $27/month
- $84.00/pick-up
- On call at first. Will let them know when we need it to be weekly
- Outside trash cans
- Uline
- Recycled Plastic $595 each
- One brown and one green?
- No option for a lid
- $1300
- Thermoplastic $585 each
- Black and Green? No great color options
- Bonnet Lid- keeps out weather
- Recreogo/Reservation Update
- 47 reservations
- $14,032.10 net sales
- First campers didn’t show up!
- CLVTB
- Webcam
- Office Space
- Lodging Taxes
- Want to confirm we are collecting them
- VNP
- Retail Display installed
- Temp Exhibits- should be here by the end of the week
- VNP coming on Friday
- Docks reorganized
- Starlink
- $1499 for the hardware
- $65/month for service
- Grand Opening
- Half of the VIP gifts were delivered. Other half are on the way.
- Records Retention
- Ashlyn and Joann are spending the day on Thursday working on this
- Any word on a ranger?
- Camp hosts arrive between June 2nd and June 5th
- VNP volunteers arrive this Saturday and Sunday
- Next campers this Friday
- Can I park my boat somewhere on the VC docks out of the way for the summer? I don’t need a slip. Maybe along the back somewhere? I’ll see how it goes and won’t do it if there is not room.
VNP-Visitor Center/Campground:
Campground Manager Report and Resulting Board Action: (Cont.)
Board Action: A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to approve the purchase of garbage cans for $1,300. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Jeanne, to purchase Starlink internet service for up to $1499.00. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to hire Handberg’s Marina to build a dock for Ty and Jeanne Shuck next to the Visitor Center docks as the one that they were using is now being used by the Visitor Center up to $4,500. Jim voted in favor, Scott voted in favor with the understanding that there is a conflict of interest, Jeanne abstained, and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jim, supported by Scott, to hire Dan Denning for the Visitor Center/Campground lawn care and to assist Serena at $20.50 per hour. Jim and Scott voted in favor, Jeanne abstained, and the motion carried. A motion was made by Jeanne, supported by Scott, to purchase a lawn mower from Five Seasons for the Visitor Center/Campground up to $12,266. All voted in favor and the motion carried. A motion was made by Scott, supported by Jeanne, to purchase signage for the visitor center up to $1,000. All voted in favor and the motion carried
Bayside Drive Upgrade: Complete. Jim will call to get the final completion.
DNR Public Water Access: There was no report.
VNP Ice Road Management Plan: Complete. Will remove from agenda ongoing.
Bayside Drive Maintenance: Complete. Will remove from agenda ongoing.
Dark Sky Crane Lake: There was no report.
Community Action Plan: The 5/20/25 Committee Meeting was cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Records Retention Process: Jo Ann and Ashlyn will continue to work on organizing documents at the Visitor Center.
CPP Loan Principal Payment: Complete. Will remove from agenda ongoing.
New Computers: Traci’s previous laptop does not work. Payroll will be delayed until fixed. New computers are being purchased.
Anti-ATV Bill: There was no report.
MN DEED Frontier Broadband Grant Application: Jeanne reported that the grant options don’t pertain to the township or visitor center.
NEW BUSINESS – There was none.
Other New Business: There was none.
Comments from Officers: Traci stated she likes the new summer hours for this board meeting. Jeanne thanked Serena for her continued hard work getting the Visitor Center ready for opening. Jim thanked Paul and Wally for their help with the visitor center dock rearrangement. Jim said that he will be billing the township for use of his personal barge during the dock rearrangement.
Public Comment: There was none.
Next Meeting: Board of Supervisors Meeting – June 10th, 2025 – 6:00pm, Visitor Center
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37PM.
Ashlyn Denning, Clerk Jim Janssen, Chair
This draft of the Crane Lake Township minutes has been posted solely for preliminary informational purposes. Minutes are unofficial and subject to change until they have been approved by the Crane Lake Board of Supervisors.
